COVID has gotten me depressed. I am more stuck in the home than ever before. I do enjoy being inside the home most days. Other days I feel like I have never left my office. My days blur into one blob, without any real distinction between them. I live in the United States so that means I must watch my country slowly turn into a fascist regime, or morph into something else altogether. I do not think my nation will become the next Nazi state, no we will become something different altogether. Something morphed with ultra-Christen and ultra-White supremacy. 2020 also saw Gulf states supporting China’s genocide of Muslims and supporting Israel. Black Americans are being murdered on the street. Painted as “violent” when the majority of protests have been peaceful, and people have tried to reign it in. Even now when whites are shooting protestors, trying to run them over, beating them up, etc. protestors have remained relatively peaceful. Protested started out with looting, but looting hasn’t happened since the beginning of this year. Looting is a symptom of protesting, but it is not protesting. Whites would loot if they felt that they could gain from it, the issue is they support the systematic enslavement of the common man to the corporation and big brother.
I digress. I need something to get myself out of this funk. I’m being honest here. So felt I should bring back…my September favorites. What my favorites represent to you, the reader is just some ways I make myself happy. These things or activities can be adopted by you. I generally go by month to month favorites because I change each month…slightly. I hope my favorites can help you this crazy school year like it’s been helping me with this crazy world. So here are my five September favorites:
1. Espresso: Lavender lattes.
I bought an espresso machine! Not an expensive one, but the cheapest one I could find. This entire summer I’ve been driving to Tim Horton’s or Dunkin Donuts for coffee. While I love coffee, I was honestly tired of waking up, driving to get coffee (even though it is a 2 min drive) and come back home. More importantly, I was tired of spending money on outside coffee. You may not know this but I hate making coffee at home because it never tastes right to me. Which is a shame; since I love americanos. I decided that I would get an espresso maker and some syrups, forcing myself to make coffee at home. I don’t want to be reliant on coffee shops or corporations for my drinks. Plus it is just expensive. I did find a doup for PPS latte mix, which I will try to make and put the recipe on my blog if I find it good.
I did buy a unique syrup. Lavender syrup for lavender lattes. I love lavender. Some of you might hate it, or hate eating it. For some lavender taste like soap, and I wonder if this is the same genetic disorder that causes people to hate cilantro? Americans in general never eat floral flavored food. Which is a shame because rose ice cream is super yummy! Lavender latte’s just taste like warmth and happiness, the same way PPS does. Lavender is one of those smells or taste, that I can enjoy all season round.
2. crochet
I know I sound like an 80-year-old lady so far, but seriously crocheting is really relaxing. I can not just sit there and watch a television show. I find myself looking on my phone or randomly looking at other things. Since I want something to listen to like a podcast or TV show but can’t sit still crocheting has become my fidget spinner. I am actually finishing up a blanket for my husband and it is coming along pretty well. Blankets and scarves are the easiest things to start with. I enjoy blankets because I can do new patterns throughout it.
3. Books
I know the term book can cover soooo many different things and I am okay with that. I purposefully chose books because I am enjoying reading many different types of books. Both nonfiction and fiction, from fantasy to political. I managed to reach my reading goal of 100 books this year. I am proud of myself. As I continue to read more, I am able to understand the world more. I am also using books to help me escape the world, especially since the climate in my country is not doing so well. If I had to choose a book for this month that I am looking forward to reading….I have to say I am looking forward to reading Against The Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa.
4. Vitamin C serums
I’m in love with vitamin c serum for my daily facial routine. I thought all these facial serums were all crazy but they really do work. Everyone’s skin is different because of this what works for me might not work for you. I have to use micellar water and witch hazel daily to help clean my skin. These two items are not enough for me though. I have to include, loads of moisturizer but my skin still broke out and still was dry. So I was going crazy. I decided to try to include some serums into my routine. When I do use them my skin clears up and my face feels smoother. My diet is also a problem, but I am not giving up coffee…sorry not sorry.
5. Sweaters
As soon as the weather gets down to the 70s, I break out my sweaters! I love sweaters and I love fall. Perhaps my love for anything fall stems from new school years, football games, yummy food, and cooler weather. Maybe it is just my inner white girl? Who knows! I love just to read, drink coffee, and do zoom class meetings while all warm and snuggly.